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Don't have dental work done if you have a cold?

Went to dentist for a routine cleaning/check up with D. For a couple of days we thought she had allergy flare, but antihistamines were not helping. Got to dentist and said she may have a cold before starting any cleaning etc. Although I must admit that I really did not think beforehand that this was not a good idea in terms of public health (after all there are worse germs that I hope are sterilized away by the dentist's office) I was somewhat taken aback because the hygienist seemed to over react to the seriousness of the cold. So we went to see MD, and fortunately nothing more than cold or allergy (can't really tell the difference.)

Maybe they suspect swine flu? D went to the dr (pediatrician still ) about a month ago when she had what seemed like a bad cold and her ears hurt. The pediatrician asked questinos that were clearly meant to rule out swine flu. Per the CDC, swine flu symptoms can include a stuffy nose...

I guess I know now that for this dentist cancel if you have a cold. This is a pediatric dentist, so both H and I go elsewhere. The MD did NOT think swine flu, and D is alot better today.

I think there are a lot of horrendous bugs out there. For many of them, you can not tell by looking. Lots of people have things that they don't even put on their history form. Some don't even know that they are sick. It just struck me a bit odd to get upset by a cold.

anothermom, dentists are not wild about people suffering from colds for a few resons. They are concerned for your own safety (and the safety of other patients and staff, too) -a person with a cold is more prone to other infections than a healthy person, and medical offices no matter how well they are cleaned can spread bugs. Another thing to consider - would a child with a runny/stuffy nose be able to sit still and breath with his/her mouth open for an hour or so?

My dentists charge $50 for appontments cancelled within less than 48 hours, but they happily waive this fee if you are ill. They don't want your bugs in there unless it's an emergency.

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